How to Wash a Dog Bed

An unpleasant smell from your dog's bedding means that it's time to do a complete pet cleanup. Dogs can become very stinky from smelling the outside, shedding fur, and bodily fluids. These foul odors can quickly become more offensive as they make their home in the dog's bed.

The smell of a wet dog laying down on a dirty bed will make you want to take action. Your dog's fur, dander and hair can combine with dust in the air to create a nasty odor that can cause asthma and allergy sufferers.

How dirty are dog beds?

Very dirty. We are already familiar with the effects of dampness, fur, and bodily discharges on dogs. There may be more to your dog's bed that meets the eye. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that dogs can be carriers of disease-causing organisms such as parasitic, bacterial, and fungal species.

Even though your dog may not appear to be ill, infection can spread from animal to person by touching their fur, their vomit, urine, saliva, and feces. These disease-causing organisms can survive in your dog's bedding for as long as 12 months. This is another reason to wash your dog's bedding . Continue reading to learn how you can keep your dog’s bed healthy and smelling great.

Can you wash a dog bed?

The answer to most dog beds is yes. And the first step in washing a dog bed is choosing the right cleaners. It is important to use a detergent that does not contain dyes or fragrances when washing dog beds, blankets, toys, and other pet items. Although commercial detergents may smell nicer, some additives can irritate your pet's skin. Worse, certain chemicals in regular laundry detergents can be toxic and can make your dog sick if they are ingested by their blankets or bed.

Choose a pet safe natural laundry detergent without harsh chemicals. Do not use detergents or cleaners to clean your dog's bed with the following ingredients:

• Chlorine
• Fragrance
• Petroleum distillates
• Diethanolamine
• Bleach

Frequent washing is a great way to reduce pollutants in the air and eliminate foul odors. It also gives your furry friend a cleaner, healthier place to sleep. Frequent washing can also remove flea eggs and other insects to help prevent infestations in your home. You may need to take your dog to the groomer if you have asthma or any other respiratory problems.

Prevention of dog bed odours and stains

Pet owners must ensure that their dog's bed is clean at all times. Why not buy a new calming bed for your dog more information here. This is essential if they want to maintain their pet's health and well-being. Preventive cleaning will make your home cleaner and more comfortable. You can also keep the house fresh between deep cleans. To keep your dog's bed clean and healthy, you can use the pet care tips below.

Be sure to keep your dog's bed clean between washes.

There are many things you can do that will keep your dog's bed clean and fresher for longer. A blanket can be used to cover your dog's bed. This blanket can be washed and re-used often. To protect your dog's bed from moisture and stains if it is not too small, wrap it in a large bag. Then, cover it with a blanket or the cover.

• To keep dust and dander to a minimum, vacuum your pet's bed between washes.
• Each week, use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of water and 1 cup distilled vinegar to clean the fabric of your dog's bed.
• To kill bacteria and eliminate odors, place your dog's bed under direct sunlight at least once per week.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the dog bed if it starts to smell. Then vacuum it up.
• To protect your bedding from staining, use a waterproof cover.
• To remove dirt and germs, wash your dog's paws as soon as they come in from the outside.
• Use mild liquid dish soap and water to clean up stains.

Clean Dog Beds Start with a Clean Dog

Bathing your dog regularly is a great way to reduce dog bed odors and prevent pet hairs from getting everywhere. Be careful when using shampoo or detergent that isn't recommended. Although many of us have used dish soap and our own shampoo to clean our dogs' hair, it is not recommended. Terese deManuelle, an Oregon veterinary dermatologist, stated that harsh chemicals are not necessary. A mild, hypoallergenic soap suitable for veterinary use is all that you need.

Dogs have different skin and fur compositions than humans. Dish soap and your favorite shampoo can remove dirt and odors but it can also reduce the natural oils in their fur and cause irritation. Dr. DeManuelle states that your dog can be bathed once per week with a shampoo made for pets, even with an occasional "emergency" wash.

Select the right dog bed

Dog beds that are waterproof, machine washable, removable and hypoallergenic are the most advanced. Some even have mold and flea resistance. Dog beds that are odor-fighting can also be available in regular dog beds. They come in a variety of fabrics and styles, with or without a cover.

You must clean your dog's bed regularly, regardless of whether it is made from microfiber or a water-resistant material. Kathy Backus from Holistic Veterinary Services in Kaysville, Utah says that a good rule of thumb is to wash your dog’s bed at least once per week. This will depend on how active your dog is and how sensitive you are to smell.

Learn how to clean a dog bed and remove stains.

In Five Easy Steps, How to Clean Your Dog's Bed

Although you must follow the washing instructions on your dog bed label, there are times when you need to break the rules to remove stubborn stains or odours. To kill bacteria and odor-causing bacteria, wash dog beds, blankets, and other upholstery that your dog may come in contact with. To wash your dog bed without a tag, you can use hot water and the delicate cycle to give it a gentle wash.

To avoid skin irritation, use a hypoallergenic laundry detergent. If your dog's bed smells particularly bad, you can use an odor-fighting laundry detergent. Just make sure to rinse the bedding thoroughly to get rid of any chemicals and residues. Dog beds that are small and removable can be the easiest to maintain. However, even those with covers should still be cleaned regularly. These six tips will help you get rid of pet odors and stains from dog beds.

1. Take out loose dirt and other debris.

Before washing your dog's bed, vacuum it to get rid of dirt, dust and bits of dog food. A brush attachment might be helpful if your dog sheds a lot. While vacuuming, be sure to clean the entire interior, exterior, and bottom of your dog's dog bed. Also make sure you vacuum around the sleeping area. Vacuuming first will make machine washing easier and can remove flea eggs. Run a lint roll over the bed after vacuuming. Pay particular attention to corners, trim, and under any trim.

2. Pre-treat Stains.

An enzyme-powered pet stain removal product will remove stains from dirt, urine, or feces. Spot removers for pets usually have a pleasant scent, such as citrus or other pleasant smells. Follow the instructions on the stain remover you choose and make sure it has worked for at least 30 minutes before you wash your dog. Spot or cleaners that contain bleach or other harsh chemicals should not be used. This will protect your dog's safety.

3. Turn up the heat

Dog beds that can be machine washed and fit into your washer are suitable for this setting. You can also run a second cycle at the exact same temperature if your dog's bed gets particularly dirty or smelly. You can also take your dog's bed to a laundromat where they will use a commercial washer, or you can wash it in your tub by hand.

Fill your tub with hot water, enough to cover the entire bed. 1/4 cup pet-friendly detergent and 1/4 Cup white vinegar. The detergent will dissolve dirt and stains and the vinegar will neutralize odors without causing any health problems for your pet. Allow the dog to soak for at most 15 minutes.

4. Get rid of all traces of dirt and odors.

It's worth running your dog's bed through the rinse cycle twice if you wash it in the washer. Hand washing is best. Drain the tub once the bed has soaked. Use warm water to rinse it and squeeze as much water out as possible. To ensure that there are no irritating residues, rinse it with warm water and squeeze out as much water as you can.

5. Get your dog's bed dry.

If your dog's bed is large enough, you can put it in the dryer at medium heat and let it tumble for a while. If the dog bed is too big to dry in a clothes dryer you can let it dry outside on a sunny day. To prevent bacteria and mold growth, dry the bed thoroughly.

Learn how to clean a dog bed, whether it's a cheap one or a high-end one. This will help eliminate odors and germs as well as bacteria. The Maids can help you get rid of pet odors and dirt in your home. Get a no-obligation estimate to learn how we can make pet owners' homes cleaner and more beautiful.